A search and rescue team is responding to a report of an avalanche in the Southern Alps this afternoon.

A helicopter from Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue has been dispatched to the area around Mt Arrowsmith in the Ashburton Lakes District.

A spokesman for GHC Aviation, which operates the air rescue service, told the Herald the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) notified them of a possible avalanche or mudslide at 12.18pm.

The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue helicopter is en route to the Mt Arrowsmith area in the Southern Alps where there has been a report of an avalanche. Photo / Flightradar24

The reported location of the avalanche, just south of Mt Arrowsmith, is about 46km west of Mt Hutt and about 130km west of Christchurch. Photo / Flightradar24

Police said they were notified of the avalanche or mudslide at 12.25pm and immediately began working with the RCCNZ.

The RCCNZ confirmed it was coordinating the emergency response with police. The reported avalanche was in the Arrowsmith Range area, RCCNZ said.

The reported location of the avalanche, just south of Mt Arrowsmith, is about 46km west of Mt Hutt and about 130km west of Christchurch.

The New Zealand Avalanche Advisory, owned and operated by the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, issues avalanche advisories for the public in 13 alpine regions, but this does not include the Arrowsmith area.

‘Conservative decision-making essential’ - Mountain Safety Council

Earlier this month, the Mountain Safety Council urged skiers, snowboarders and climbers to check avalanche warnings before heading out because considerable risks remain in place.

Following heavy snowfall during the first week of September, the Mountain Safety Council issued avalanche warnings to remain in place for parts of the South Island.

There was a high risk of avalanches for Ōhau in the Mackenzie Basin where there are “very dangerous avalanche conditions” and “travel in avalanche terrain not recommended”.

Considerable avalanche risks remained for Arthur’s Pass, Aoraki Mt Cook, Two Thumbs, Queenstown, Wānaka, Fiordland and Aspiring, as well as Tongariro in the centre of the North Island.

A helicopter from Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue has been dispatched to the area around Mt Arrowsmith in the Ashburton Lakes District. Photo / Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust

There are “dangerous conditions” in these locations and “conservative decision-making is essential”.

Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley told Newstalk ZB people should not travel in areas with avalanche warnings and should stay inbound and within skifields.

“Be really clear that you have the skills and knowledge to move yourself out of avalanche paths.

“It doesn’t mean people can’t go into the snow areas. It’s particularly important to know that if you are in a skifield area you are protected with professional ski and avalanche management.

“These warnings exist for people outside those skifields.”

He pointed to the large dumping of snow much of the lower half of the South Island had experienced during the past few days for the increased avalanche risks.

He said things normally slow down at this time of year, but, during the past couple of winters, there have been some late snow dumpings.”